Fayetteville vs Fort Smith

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $64,167 in Fort Smith.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Smith equals $87,662 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Fort Smith

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is higher Fort Smith's 49, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $155,000. The $177,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,508 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $775/mo in Fort Smith, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 92 in Fort Smith. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $437/month in Fort Smith. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 95 in Fort Smith. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $380 in Fort Smith. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in Fayetteville and 88 in Fort Smith. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $59,100 in Fayetteville and $45,200 in Fort Smith. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 and $58,701 respectively. Fayetteville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,379/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,055/month in Fort Smith. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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